N.Y. governor seeks to curb Rx drug abuse with new legislation

ALBANY, N.Y. — The state of New York is looking to become a national leader in curbing prescription drug abuse.

Governor Andrew Cuomo, along with attorney general Eric Schneiderman, Senate majority leader Dean Skelos and assembly speaker Sheldon Silver, introduced new legislation that will include a series of provisions that are designed to overhaul the way prescription drugs are distributed and tracked in New York. The governor's legislation creates an all-electronic online registry — which is being heralded as the first in the nation — to enable doctors, pharmacists and law enforcement to track controlled substances in real time and prevent excessive prescription and refill requests. What's more, this legislation also includes a disposal program to encourage New Yorkers to safely dispose of unused prescription drugs, as well as increase education for healthcare providers about the potential for abuse of controlled substances and the proper balancing of pain management with abuse prevention.

"This landmark agreement will help put a stop to the growing number of fatalities resulting from overdoses on prescription drugs," Cuomo said. "We have seen too many untimely deaths as a result of prescription drug abuse, and today New York State is taking the lead in saying enough is enough. I commend attorney general Schneiderman, majority leader Skelos, and speaker Silver for their hard work in putting together this groundbreaking reform package that will help protect New Yorkers and put an end to prescription drug abuse."

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